How long it takes and when to set off
I lead guided group hikes up Arthur's Seat, but if you prefer to do your own thing here's some information which might help.
Watching the sun set over Edinburgh’s skyline is a pretty magical experience. Arthur’s Seat is the highest hill in Edinburgh and is conveniently located just next to the city centre, so you can enjoy this experience even when you’re only here for a short time.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things to consider when planning your hike:
Sunset Times
Edinburgh is as far north as parts of Alaska, so there’s a huge difference between sunset times in Winter and Summer. The precise time of sunset changes every day, so you need to check what time it will happen on the day you’ve chosen.
In mid Summer the Sun sets at 10:02 PM.
In mid Winter it sets at 3:38 PM.
Each day the sunset time changes by a little bit, so no two days are the same. The rate of change is quickest in Spring and Autumn, when the days are rapidly getting lighter or darker.
Remember that we change our clocks twice a year in Scotland. On the last Sunday in March we set our clocks forwards by one hour. And on the last Sunday in October we put them back by one hour.
Trail Times
You’ll need to consider how long it will take you to reach the summit. My group Sunset Hikes depart one hour before sunset, which allows plenty of time to enjoy the hike to the top. I like to avoid the busier main path and take a route which allows a better view of the sunset as we hike.
If you’re super fit and heading up the most direct route you can get to the summit in about 30 minutes. But you’d spend most of your time on the dark side of the hill, so you’d miss out on the best moments of the sunset.
Routes
There are many paths and trails all over Holyrood Park, some of which take you to the summit of Arthur’s Seat, and some don’t.
My favourite path is what I call the ‘Sunset Route’, which allows a near-constant view out towards the setting sun as we climb the hill.
Another option — if you’re not bothered about getting to the summit of Arthur’s Seat — is to walk the path along the top of Salisbury Crags. This track follows the top of steep cliffs and has a good view of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It is a rough track which is steep in places and not maintained.
Golden Hour
I start my hikes one hour before sunset, and this time of day is known as Golden Hour. This is when the sunlight is at its best, showering the hills with golden rays and lighting up the cliffs in a blaze of colour.
The Descent
Walking down the hill after the sunset, you’ll see the sky constantly changing colour. The silhouettes of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town are picked out against the technicolour background.
The light will rapidly be fading. So I provide everyone in my group with a head torch, which is especially useful if there are clouds darkening the sky. Remember that there are no street lights on Arthur’s Seat, and relying on a mobile phone torch is not a very good idea.
Some of the routes down the hill can be misleading. What appears to be a good quality path can rapidly descend onto steep, loose ground — or cliffs. It’s important to plan and choose your descent route carefully.
Back in Town
If everything goes according to plan, you’ll soon be back where you started. And you might still have time to find one of Edinburgh’s cosy pubs or restaurants to enjoy the rest of your evening.